Self-reported bedtimes, television-viewing habits and parental restrictions among Finnish schoolchildren (aged 10–11 years, and 2 years later aged 12–13 years): Perspectives for health

Abstract

Using self-reported data from children at age 10-11 years in 2008 and at age 12-13 years in 2010 (n = 113), this study examines bedtime habits, parental permissiveness about television viewing and the most-viewed television programmes. Later bedtimes (both during the week and at the weekend) were reported in 2010 and were related to reported parental permission to watch television freely. Parental attitudes towards television viewing were reported as having become more permissive over time. The Finnish soap opera Salatut elämät and the American animated sitcom The Simpsons were the most popular programmes. The findings are discussed in relation to health.

Parental perception on screen time and psychological distress among young children

“…When externalizing problems were assessed, the results were similar to previous reports; boys were reported to be more hyperactive than girls,[ 28 ] and younger children were found to have higher externalizing factor scores than older children. Hyperactivity has been associated with higher screen time; however, an interesting finding of this study was that fathers reported more emotional problems in their child than mothers[ 29 ] and fathers spending more time with children was positively associated with child's hyperactivity.…”

Longitudinal associations between time spent using technology and sleep duration among adolescents☆

“…A larger effort is needed to break the negative cycle of insufficient sleep and time spent using technology, and involving external support, such as parents, to alter sleep routines might be warranted. A number of studies support this idea showing that when parents limit time spent using technology their children obtain more sleep (Pieters et al, 2014;Smith et al, 2017;Sormunen et al, 2016). Time spent using technology however has not yet been explicitly targeted in large scale interventions with adolescents (Blunden & Rigney, 2015;Cassoff, Knäuper, Michaelsen, & Gruber, 2013).…”

“…A third explanation, as reported by (Eggermont & Van den Bulck, 2006) may be due to it being common practice for adolescents to use a variety of technological devices— including television, computer games and listening to music—as sleep aids, which was associated with shorter sleep duration and self‐reported tiredness at varying times throughout the day in that study. Additionally, children have been found to obtain more sleep when parents limit their time spent using technology (Pieters et al, 2014; Smith, Gradisar, King, & Short, 2017; Sormunen, Turunen, & Tossavainen, 2016).…”

Student Bedtimes, Academic Performance, and Health in a Residential High School

“…Students engaged in ''screen time'' just prior to bedtimes could also influence the outcomes. Screen time has been connected with disruptions in the circadian rhythm and delayed sleep after bedtime (Cain & Gradisar, 2010;Sormunen et al, 2016). Inclusion of screen time as a variable would add considerable value considering the use of technology in society.…”

“…Modernism is defined as “the speed and stresses of modern life and technologies, which subject children to increased stimulation” (Matricciani, Olds, Blunden, Rigney, & Williams, 2012, p. 553). External media—watching television, playing video games, and using computers—all contribute to bedtime and sleep (Sormunen, Turunen, & Tossavainen, 2016). Technology and social media have become increasingly problematic for adolescents, with reports of shortened sleep and later night bedtimes being the most consistent outcomes (Bryant & Gomez, 2015).…”